| Abstract: | Poly(methyl methacrylate)–cellulose nitrate copolymers were prepared in the form of rods and sheets by bulk polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Suspension polymerization did not succeed in preparing poly(methyl methacrylate)–cellulose nitrate copolymers, especially when cellulose nitrate of 11.4% nitrogen content was used. The parameters such as cellulose nitrate concentration, nitrogen content of cellulose nitrate, the amount of initiator and the reaction time, and the temperature are discussed. The prepared copolymers were irradiated for specified periods of up to 11.83 Mrad. It was found that poly(methyl methacrylate)–cellulose nitrate copolymers did not dissolve in any conventional solvent, but they swelled. Swelling decreases with increasing cellulose nitrate concentrations, nitrogen content of cellulose nitrate, and irradiation dose, indicating the crosslinked structure of the prepared copolymers. |
